Happy Birthday Mom – Lake Rabun 2011
Happy Birthday Mom – Rabun Beach Campground 2011
(picture gallery at the bottom of the post)
Do you remember your first family camping trip? Camping has always been a part of our family. That’s why I couldn’t wait to get my kids out in the woods exploring nature on their first overnight trip. When you have kids that are almost 6 and almost 2 it is challenging. Not just challenging once you get there and start setting up a tent with a 2-year-old stealing tent pegs. I mean challenging from the planning stage on…
This year we celebrated my Mom’s Birthday with a family camping trip at Rabun Beach at Lake Rabun Georgia. Ole Phyl had a great time. In fact, Friday she, Evan, and I drove up to the campground 1st to claim a great campsite. Once we got there it did take a few minutes to decide because each of the sites had it’s own unique reason to choose it. I won’t post which one we chose, because I can’t give away all of my secrets, but they all were very good.
Mom spent the afternoon following Evan around and laughing at him. The wonder in his eyes, the amazement in his face, and the craziness coming out of his mouth. I don’t know if I have every heard her laugh as much as she did that afternoon.
The rest of the weekend was amazing too. Amber, Andria, Bradley, and Gabby arrived that night (after dark). There was an incident with Daddy Long-Legs (read below) but for the most part a great trip.
Lake Rabun and Rabun Beach
The campground at Rabun Beach is very well kept. There is a “host” that (I think) lives on site. The rental fees are $14 per night for tent campers and $22 per night for RV’s. There are trails running throughout, several bath houses (with hot water), and hiking trails that take you to Angel Falls and Panther Falls. The falls are very beautiful and well worth the walk.
From the trail head, the walk is only about 1/2 mile to Panther Falls and then another 1/4 mile or so to Angel Falls.
We did see a copperhead snake on our way down, so be watchful.
The Kids
Our camping trip was a great experience. When Gabby, Amber, Andria, and Bradley first arrived, Amber took Gabby to the bath house. Gabby freaked out because there were Daddy Longleg Spiders everywhere. I suppose I would freak out too if I hadn’t seen that many of them before and there were 20 of them all in one place!
By the end of the weekend, Gabby was practically picking them up and laughing about it.
Evan was a trip the whole time. His little eyes were amazed by everything he saw. He didn’t want to go to sleep. In fact, he went kicking and screaming to bed each night because he wanted to stay up and have fun.
Amber was apprehensive about going camping. I don’t know why, because she grew up going in California and loved it. Maybe it had something to do with having to small kids in the woods! Anyway, she did great too. Whether she admits it or not, you could tell she had a good time too.
Camping Question:
So. Do you remember your first family camping trip? Tell us about it in a comment.
Picture Gallery
Family Movie Night – The Lion King
Family Movie Night – The Lion King
Almost 20 years ago Disney released The Lion King and all of its magic. I didn’t realize how it affects you until I watched my kids faces as they reacted to the colorful lights of this epic tale falling off the silver screen.
Gabby, of course, is old enough to appreciate the storyline and the music. That would account for those genuine tears she produced as she heard Rafiki say, Read the rest of this entry »
Columbia County House Watch Program
House Watch Program
What is it?
Ever heard of Neighborhood Watch? The House Watch Program is like that only on steriods.
Living in Columbia County Georgia is great for many reasons. No way to go into all of them here, however there is one HUGE reason and I will name it. The House Watch Program.
Here in CoCo the Sheriffs Office set up a program to keep our county safe and to give people peace-of-mind while they are away from their homes on vacation or for any reason.
We will use this every time we go out of town now.
Thank you COCO.
How does it work?
Basically, you call the Sheriff’s Office, answer a few questions about you and your trip, and they visit your home each day while you are gone to deter or report any foul play.
Seriously? Yes, seriously.
How much does it cost?
This is the best part… IT’S FREE!
Here are the details of how to use the service:
House Watch Program
Just in case the link gets busted… Here’s and excerpt from their site:
House Watch Program
The House Watch Program was set up over 10 years ago to help protect the homes of people who are going to be gone for an extended period of time. This free Service was designed to allow people living in Columbia County to have peace of mind while on vacation or away. In order to be placed on the House Watch program, contact Columbia County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (706) 541-2800 at least 24 hours prior to departure. You will be asked a series of question including, but not limited to:
Home Phone Number Address Emergency Telephone Number If you have an Alarm Company and who If you have any pets Are there going to be any lights on Any vehicles in the driveway Is there anyone Authorized to be there A contact number for a person with a key An Emergency Contact Number Leaving Time and Date Returning Time and Date Once the information is entered into the system, our deputies will check on the houses periodically during the day and night. If you find that you will be away longer than expected, call dispatch and tell them about the change and they will be happy to adjust the times.
Dear Kids | The Columbia Zoo
Dear Gabby and Evan,
Several weeks ago I decided to live up to my stance against Saturdays spent inside watching TV. I bought tickets for the Zoo and your mother and I planned a little trip to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. Just like any other trip we “plan” to go on, I “planned” to leave an hour before we actually need to so we could leave on time (shhhh….that’s our little secret). We grabbed a little Mickey D’s on the way out of town and adventure was ours.
We did encounter several problems. One in particular was what I refer to as the “ATM Situation”. The Zoo brochure brags about 2 ATMs on site so I didn’t stop and get cash. Yes, I know. I am a banker and I didn’t get cash before coming home. Tisk. Tisk. Anyway, when we arrived we found that ALL ATMs were out of order and the cashiers in the gift shops don’t allow cash back on purchases. Normally, not a problem, but the zoo also only accepts cash for their highly popular Merry Go Round and Rock Climbing Wall. Luckily there was a nice “older gentleman” that was not of “Generation teXt” that understood what I needed. He guided me to the theater where I could buy tickets for you to climb that Rock Wall, Gabby and for both of you to ride the Merry Go Round.
You both may have been learning about animals that day, but I wrote this because I wanted you to know what I learned from you that day.
Gabby,
The way you approached climbing that Rock Wall showed me how to approach the adversities in life. You took on that wall with child-like innocence, dogged expectation, and the pure belief that you belonged at the top. That is what got you there. You didn’t get to the top and then believe you belonged there. You did it how God intended. Believe, Do, Have. Thank You.
Evan,
The way you looked at strange animals and then looked back at me for an answer to “what is that” before forming your own opinion reminded me of how to approach new things in life. I should turn to my Father in Heaven first and then form my opinion with his guidance. Thank you, Son.
The day turned out Amazing. Not just because your mother and I pulled off a Zoo Adventure, but because we all relaxed and enjoyed the time provided for us to make powerful memories.
Love,
Daddy
Gabby’s First Round of Golf
Gabby and I went out for her first round of golf. A few weeks ago, I had the afternoon off so I picked Gabby up from school early. It was a “just Gabby and Daddy” day I told her.
We went to Bartram Trail and I was going to let her just putt some balls around. Gabby brought her putter we got her a while back. She is a natural.
We decided to play 9. I didn’t think she’d last much more than that. The pace of play was pretty slow due to Bartram Trail switching their tee boxes around. That gave us a chance to let her hit while we waited on the folks in front of us to get out of the way.
She did surprisingly well. She had fun too. She even got to drive!
Discovery Kids Place
We had such a great time with our niece and nephew during their spring break. They are such a blessing to us and miss them lots. This was one place called discovery place kids auntie took them to. Very fun place for kids to play and learn. We also took them to the zoo. Have to post those pics soon xoxo!
Breakfast at Auntie & Uncles
Uncle makes a mean breakfast. It’s good to be in Charlotte to see the Maas’s. Today will be full of adventures.
Dinner at the Scheyer’s
What do you get when you have four kids running, laughing, and playing in a gorgeous backyard and four grown-ups relaxing to the smells of a low-country boil? An. Awesome time. Thanks Scheyers.
3D Glasses and Playing Hookie
3D Glasses, Popcorn, and an Afternoon with Gabby
Working on Saturday has never been a favorite of mine. Being a glass-half-full kinda guy, I look for the good things and hold on to them tightly.
When I work on Saturdays, we flex time out. That means that I get to feel like I’m playing hookie on a weekday afternoon. I abruptly remember by Saturday morning why I should not feel guilty.
This week I was scheduled to do my Saturday duties on Father’s Day Weekend. That meant less time with the kids, so I decided to “Play Hookie” with Gabby and go see Shrek 3D. As you can see from the picture, we had a blast.
The smell of popcorn, no one in the theater but Gabby and I, and the feeling that millions of other people were working their butts off on a Thursday afternoon. Ahhh Bliss.
The movie was ok. Not as good as the first few hundred Shrek Movies, but it was ok. It was a little dark with the spells and witches for us, but there were some fairy tale funny parts. We had the entire theater to ourselves except for 5 or 6 other people.
Although I paid for this afternoon with a Saturday of work, it still felt like hookie! That was kinda fun. When Gabby asked me why I was not at work, my answer had nothing to do with Saturdays. It had to do with her. The one thing I won’t get to do over is spend time with her when she’s little. I hope she remembers this fun day with her dad for as long as I will.
Epilogue:
Saturday wasn’t so bad at work. Busy, but definitely worth the afternoon. I think I won on this deal.
Hope Uncorked – A Night To Remember
Hope Uncorked – A Night To Remember
My Grandfather and my Grandmother both suffered with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. So when my wife told me that her Grandfather was suffering from Alzheimer’s my heart broke.
Here in Augusta, the Alzheimer’s Association has a very strong presence and they have come together for several years now to give support to the community that has been affected by this disease.
When we heard about this years Wine and Food Tasting Event we were eager to attend.
It was a great time. April, Kenn, Amber, and myself got all dressed up and had some wine and cheese for a good cause. We didn’t win our silent auction choices but we did take home some great bottles of wine. It was and enchanting evening.
If you have questions about your local Alzheimer’s Association, you can find information here.
Have you been affected by this disease or has someone in your family? Tell us about it. Leave a comment.
Kids in the Park
Kids in the Park
We took the kids to the park the other weekend. The weather was awesome. That cool crispness of spring. The flowers everywhere and the smell of cut grass. They had a blast. (and so did we). We got to show off our parenting teamwork (or the lack thereof) when Evan realized our “park time” had cut into “meal time”. Peas and Rice…. Everywhere.
All About Me Week
All About Me Week is a special week for the kids at Gabby’s school, Martinez United Methodist Preschool. You see they have rug time where a guest comes and reads a book. They get to have a guest at lunch each day. They tell what they want to be when they grow up and who their pets are. They bring and show off family pictures as well as divulge their favorite place to visit. These are the kinds of moments I remember the most from my preschool days. The wonder of having a full week orchestrated around YOU.
What if work was like that for one week a year? Your boss would hold a special meeting where you’d show a power point of your dogs, your favorite place to visit and your wife would come read to everyone during the catered lunch. You’d feel like a star, right?
Well Gabby sure felt like a star. Amber read the story to the kids, and she, April, and myself joined her for lunch (separately). For lunch, I joined her first. The kids SWARMED me. “Gabby’s Daddy, what’s your name”
“Gabby’s daddy, will you open this?”
It was fun, but you could tell this was a normal thing for them. NOT for me though. I felt like an 80′s Rock Star. Like the Axl Rose of preschool. (There’s a “School House Rock joke in there somewhere).
The kids did the same to Amber on the second day and April on Friday. April took Evan which really made the natives restless. On Thursday night Gabby asked if every week could be her “All About Me Week”. You could tell she really had a good time. The kids learn a lot about each other and the seem to be closer because of that.
Hopefully her feelings and memories about this week will last long as mine have.
Ryan McKinney
details ->
www.MeetTheMcKinneys.com
No Respect for Authority
iNo Ninos En La Canasta!
No Children in Basket!
She’s really is a mild mannered kid. No seriously. The grocery store was always a fun trip for me when I was a kid. I remember my mom pushing me around on the cart as I held on to the back with my feet and hands. I love the fact that she is hugging the sign that says: “No Children in Basket” What do you think? Do you remember you and your family going to the grocery store together?
That Day at the Beach
I’ll never forget that day at the beach. It was Gabby’s first time going. We had spent the weekend with my dad in Jacksonville. We wanted to take Gabby to the beach. Pop wasn’t feeling like the beach so we took her on our way home.
She was crawling, but I think walking was still in the future. She had this little white bathing suit with cherries on it. Like most babies, I suppose, she loved the sand. Well, she loved eating it anyway. I guess it had something to do with how salty it is.
She literally would put handfuls of wet sand in her mouth at a time. Amber would freak out and I’d spend the next 5 minutes getting it out. She crawled around the sand and loved when we took her into the waves. Amber let the waves crash around herself while whooshing Gabby up in the air. Gabby would just giggle and smile.
Not sure why I got to thinking about her first trip to the beach. She’s been a couple of times since then and would probably be just as happy if we left her there. I guess it’s because it’s getting to be that time of year again and the waves are calling.
We have quite a lot going on this year, but I think we’ll make it to the beach again. Besides, Evan doesn’t know what salty sand tastes like yet.
Recent Comment
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April Maas:
Said on 2012/05/15
My nephew is out of control!
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Said on 2012/05/14
Omg thanks a lot Ryan for making me cry! Punkie Brewster your Auntie and Uncle...
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Ryan McKinney:
Said on 2012/05/08
Forgot to mention Bible Study is tonight. Andria Corral officiating!
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Said on 2012/05/04
Gabby is a good motivator.
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Said on 2012/04/29
YOU WIN! You are the proud winner of a chicken dinner ;)